Cheek Cell Preparation

Introduction

Cheek cells are used in a laboratory to observe a typical eukaryotic cell. The preparation of is
simple hence, students will be able to observe some of the most important structures of a eukaryotic
cell – the nucleus, membrane and cytoplasm. In order to observe cells under a compound
microscope, staining is use. One example of stains that is use in slide preparation is methylene
blue dye.

Procedures:

1. Obtain your cheek cell by gently swabbing your mouth using a sterile toothpick.

2. Smear the toothpick onto the center of the clean slide for a few seconds in order to get the
cells to the center of the slide.

3. Allow it to air dry. After air drying, fix the cell by quickly heating it in an alcohol lamp.

4. After fixing, gently place a drop of methylene blue solution onto the slide. Air dried your
slides by tilting it.

5. After air drying, wash the excess methylene blue solution with sterile water and then air
dry again for a few minutes.

6. Fix again your samples by heating.

7. Finally, fix your slide with a Canada balsam and cover it with cover slip.

8. Clean excess stains in your slide by wiping it with tissue. On the other hand, remove the
excess Canada balsam using cutter.

Grading system:
Cells are clearly stained and spread out thoroughly, individual cells are clearly seen
A+ (96-100)
Cells are clearly stained with few cells on top of one another
A (90-96)
A quite number of cells are not clearly stained and on top of one another
B+ (86 – 90)
Cells are clumped with one another – B (80-86)